Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10576, Reuben Dorchester, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
born,
Dorchester Reuben
S 105-76
banded
CONTENTS

20 901 New York
Heuben Dorchester
Onondago in the State of New York who was a privat of dis the Comp commanded Captain Arnold of the Regt. commanded Col. Douglass in the Comp line for 7 months priv. of Infantry 2 " " " Dragoons
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Oct. 1833 and to to J. Birby Marcellus
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $ 79.15 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th M ch 34 15.83
$94.98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Col. T. T. T. Clerk
Recorded by Book E. Vol. 4, Page 95

I Enlisted in the Continental Army at the age of 17 in the month of May 1775 I enlisted into a company of troops commenced by Captain Smalley of Durham and into the Regiment or Brigade of Col or General Wooster - in this Company and Regiment I served during that summer at Horseneck, Long Island and the vicinity of the City of New York and in the fall I went in said Company up the North River to Albany from there to Ticonderoga and St Johns & Montreal - for a more particular description reference is here made to my application for a Pension in the War Office at Washington City. I think I enlisted when this town for the term of seven months - but I was not discharged I think until December and then our discharge was only verbal - In the same Company & Corps Reuben Dorchester now living in Herk County of Onondaga State of New York - then residing in said Sherburne - served with me throughout the whole of said tour - he went on with me we lived in the same tent throughout the campaign without any changing and we returned home together at the end of the tour - said Dorchester is now before me & I know him to be the same Reuben Dorchester that served thro' the campaign since further I don't say not
Yours Sincerely
Reuben Dorchester is a person of good character and is entitled to the full amount

Warrington County S.S. Cheshire 26 th 1832
Personally appeared Enos Bunnell subscriber to the foregoing Deposition - a credible person and made oath to the truth of the same according to his best knowledge and belief
before me
John A. Frost Justice of the Peace
I Clement Peche Clerk of the Courts of Quarter Sessions the district of Cheshire do hereby certify that John A. Frost Esq. is a justice of the Peace qualified to administer oaths and that the accompanying Deposition of Enos Bunnell bears his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Probate Office
Warrington 26 th day of September A.D. 1832
Clement Peche Clerk
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us the undersigned John A. Frost Clement Peche Enos Bunnell
John A. Frost

State of New York
Onondaga County ss. Hannah Rue of the Town of Camillus in Said County being duly Sworn, deposeth and saith that She has been acquainted with and known Reu- ben Dorchester since the year 1770 — That in the year 1775 She was informed and verily believes that  the said Reuben Dorchester to be him, enlisted as a Soldier in the Service of the United States in the month of May in said year 1775 at Cheshire in the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut, for term of Seven months: That her Brother Isaac since deceased Beach, enlisted at the same time & place and for the same term of time, that the circumstance of this Deponent's brother enlisting at the same time makes her recollect more distinctly as to the said Dorchester's enlistment. That this Deponent was informed & verily believes to be true that the said Reuben Dorchester entered did serve as a Soldier in the United States Army for the term of the Seven months or over as above stated he enlisted for — And further that this Deponent was at the time of the said enlistment of the said Dorchester a resident of said Town of Cheshire and remained there till she was married the next February after — And further saith not.
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 6 th day of September A D 1832 } Hannah Rue Myron L. Mills Justice of the peace
I the above named Justice do hereby certify that I have been (well acquainted with Mrs Hannah Rue who and made oath to subscribed the above affidavit before me and that she is a person of good character and is entitled to the full

Credit
Dated at Marcellus County of Onondaga and State of New York the Sixth day of September 1832
Myron S. Mills Justice of the Peace
State of New York } County of Onondaga } ss: I Reuben S. Hays Clerk of the said County do certify that Myron S. Mills before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same and now is one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquaint- ed with his hand writing and verily believe his name sub- scribed to the jurat of the said Affidavit and the above certificate to be the proper hand writing and signatures of the said Justice. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 21. day of December 1832. R. S. Hays Clerk P. Edwards Jr. Dep. Clerk

State of New York
Onondaga County ss. On this twenty third day of January A.D. 1833 Personally appeared in open Court before Daniel Mosely Esquire, Vice Chancellor of the Court of Chancery of the Seventh Circuit in & for the State aforesaid at Onondaga in the County of Onondaga aforesaid, Now Sitting, Reuben Dorchester, Resident of the Town of Marcellus in said County and State, aged Eighty four years on the 4 th day of February last past, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he was born on the fourth day of February in the year 1748. in the Town of Windsor in the State of Connecticut. — That he has no record of his age. —
That he entered the Service of the United States and under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated. — As wit. In the month of May 1775 he enlisted for Seven months a Company under Captain Arnold (Thinko his Christian name was James), of Durham in the State of Connecticut, Lieutenant Nathaniel Purdie of said Cheshire and Ensign Tyler of East Haven in the same State last aforesaid; Was marched thence to Horseneck — remained there about three weeks. Then marched to Harlem where he was stationed from three to four weeks. Thence went to Long Island and was marched to the East End thereof and back to Harlem. From thence went by water up the Hudson River to Albany. Thence marched by land to Lake George. Crossed said Lake and marched to St. Johns  St. Johns Ticonderoga & St. Johns After the Taking or Surrender of St. Johns at which

he was present, was marched to La Plaine & Montreal - Thence back to Ticonderoga and on the expiration of his term of service aforesaid was discharged, but received no written discharge. That Col. Douglass of New Haven Conn. was commander of the Regiment to which the said company under Capt. Arnold, was attached. That he does not recollect the names of the other Field Officers - That Genl. Wooster of New Haven aforesaid commanded the division of the Army with which he the said Reuben marched from Harlem aforesaid to St. Johns where Genl. Montgomery was Commander in Chief of the forces in that Quarter. That he was, in the year 1776 twice called out or drafted in the Cavalry and marched to Horseneck in a Company under the command of a Captain Camp of Durham aforesaid. Other officers not recollected. Served two months in said Company in both of the aforesaid tours -
That, at the close of the Revolutionary war he lived in Cheshire aforesaid - In the year 1814 moved from Thence to the aforesaid Town of Marlinton where he has lived ever since -
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person other than those who made the annexed affidavits, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his Service. B
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency
B That is to know the said Reuben Arnold who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his Service as a soldier of the Revolution.

In the Matter of the application of Reuben Dorchester
for a poling
222.67

of any State. } Sworn to and subscribed } Reuben Dorchester The day and year first aforesaid before me } Daniel Mosley Vice Chancellor
We Levi Parsons a Clergyman residing in the Town of Manlius in the County of Onondaga and State of New York And Nathaniel Hillyer - in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Dorchester, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that he is re- puted and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and that he is a man of unimpeachable veracity and integrity. } Levi Parsons Subscribed and sworn } & Nathl Hillyer The day and year first aforesaid before me } by Levi Parsons & Nathaniel Hillyer Daniel Mosley. Vice Chancellor
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War De- partment, that the above applicant was a revolu- tionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to him that Levi Parsons, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Manlius, and Nathaniel Hillyer is a resident in the town of Manlius and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled

To Full creditors Daniel Mosley R. Chancellor
Three large, empty, curved lines, likely for signatures or seals.
I Daniel T. Mosley Deputy Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the seventh Circuit for the state of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Dorchester for a pension My testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23 d day of January 1833
Daniel T. Mosley Deputy Clerk
letter Reuben Dorchester agent for a pension

To Full credit of Daniel Moseley V. Chancellor
I Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the Seventh Circuit for the state of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Dorchester for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23 d day of January 1833
Daniel T. Moseley Deputy Clerk
In matter of Reuben Dorchester Applicant for a Pension

22267
Reuben Dorehater
C. J. Admitted Private Inf y 7 mos do Dragoons 2 "
31.66
79.15
15.83
John Bigby
re-enlist Marshall
New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 29 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Asabin  Dorchester  Onondaga County N York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1775 enlisted 11 7 11 Capt Amos Col Douglass St. Montgomery Housatuck Hudson Long Isld Cheshire Newham County Connecticut age 84 years Living witnesses as to part Part Trading   1776 First drafted in the Cavalry and marched to Housatuck under Capt. Camp here a 2 months in said Company in both tours  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

10576
Reuben Dorchester
Jan'y 23, 1833
Marcellus N.Y. - 84
Born Feby 4, 1748 Windsor Ct
Chester
May 75 - Capt Arnold Com Col Douglas Corp, 7. m,
Bat St John
76 Capt Camp Col - 4. M.
Am

Isaac Beach

CITY OF PROVIDENCE Department of Public Schools OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Glow
City Hall November 22, 1900.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I have reason to think my ancestors were in the Revolutionary War. Can you tell me if you have any record of the name of "Dorchester" who came to this country from England some time in 1600, and finally settled near Hartford, Connecticut?
An early reply will greatly oblige
Yours truly,
RECEIVED NOV 28 1900 DIVISION
Hoffman S Dorchester address City Hall Providence R.I.

Rev War
10576
Dec. 3-1900, - Haffner S. Dorchester
INVALID.
No. 10,576
Remsen Dorchester
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. A , Page 100
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York
Onondaga County ss. Reuben Dorchester of the Town of Manellus in the County aforesaid, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, That he is the person who made the annexed declaration for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1833. That he entered the service as a private Soldier for the term of seven months as stated in said declaration but immediately after, was chosen or appointed a Corporal in said company, and served as such during the said term of seven months. And that, while he served in the Cavalry as set forth in his said declaration, he served as a private Soldier. And further This Deponent saith not. —
Reuben Dorchester
Subscribed and sworn
this 10 th day of July
AD 1833 before me
Thereon God and Justice of the peace
I hereby certify, That I have been acquainted with Reuben Dorchester, who subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit before me, for the last twenty years; That he is a man of undoubted veracity & integrity, And that is entitled to full credit in his statements under oath or otherwise Dated at Manellus this 13 th day of July AD 1833.
Thereon God and Justice of the peace

State of New York } County of Onondaga } ss. I, Reuben S. Hoss Clerk of the said County do certify that Theron Godard Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the jurat of said affidavit and the within certificate to be his proper hand writing and genuine signature. Witness my hand and Seal of office this 17th. day of July 1833. R. S. Hoss clerk